Difference Between Social Science and Social Studies

Social science examines people and human society through research, evidence, and observation. Social studies, on the other hand, is mainly a school subject that combines ideas from social science and the humanities to help students understand society, citizenship, and the world around them.

The two areas still overlap, which is why their names can be confusing. Both may cover society, history, politics, economics, or geography, but they don’t approach these topics with the same depth or purpose. Understanding the difference between social science and social studies can help students read course descriptions properly and choose a suitable path for university.

In the sections below, we’ll compare their meaning, subjects, scope, learning methods, higher education options, and related career paths.

Understanding Social Science and Social Studies

Social science and social studies are related terms and often students use them interchangeably. But to understand the difference between the two, it is helpful to have an understanding of what each means and covers.

Let us now understand the meaning of “social science” and “social studies” as two distinct disciplines. 

What is Social Science?

Social science is a subject that is designed to study human beings and their societies. It attempts to explain human behavior, to know how humans develop communities, how they make decisions, and how they react to changes in their environment.

Students are not just exposed to these ideas in the university. They acquire the skills of studying social issues through the research process, data, interviews, surveys and real-world studies. The approach is dependent on the course and the question being studied.

For instance, a student might study the issue of unemployment by considering who suffers from unemployment, why job opportunities have shifted, and if a public policy has enhanced the situation. Investigation and evidence are an important component of social science.

What is Social Studies?

It is common to teach social studies in school for students to learn about society and the world around them. It does not delve into one academic subject in detail, but rather compiles related subjects and provides learners with a general overview.

Lessons can include reading, maps, timelines, classroom discussion, and mini projects. Students in these activities learn about the ways communities work, the impact of the past on the current situation, and the responsibilities of having a voice in community. One of the primary objectives of the subject is to foster civic understanding, according to the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).

It is sometimes used at University level too. For instance, Harvard provides an undergraduate course called Social Studies which is an interdisciplinary course. Learners should therefore read the course description before making decisions regarding what a programme contains.

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Key Differences Between Social Science and Social Studies

The primary difference between social science and social studies lies in the level of exploration that each involves. While social studies offer a basic overview of selected topics, social science tends to focus on examining the existing social issues with a higher degree of specificity.

Migration can be used as an example to highlight the difference between the two. 

• In social studies, students may learn the causes and effects of migration, as well as its impact on the demographic structure of a region. 
• In social science, one can explore census records, engage in discourse with the migrant community, and analyze the consequences of a recently implemented immigration policy on the community.

Now, let us understand the difference in detail through this table: 

Point of Difference	Social Science	Social Studies
What does it do?	Examines people and society in detail	Introduces students to society and civic life
Where is it usually studied?	Mainly at college or university	Mainly at school
How are topics taught?	Through theory, research, data, and real cases	Through lessons, maps, discussions, and projects
How much depth is covered?	Students may focus closely on one field or issue	Students learn the basics of several connected areas
What does it prepare you for?	Higher study, research, and related careers	Further education and a better understanding of society

The names are not always used the same way. A school may use the combined subject for their classes under the name of Social Science and another may offer it at the university under an interdisciplinary course named Social Studies. 

Hence, it is always advisable to read the complete course and specializations of the course rather than opting it by relying on the subject title alone. 

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Social Science vs Social Studies: Subjects and Scope

Most students start confusing these subjects because the subjects in these two areas might overlap. What really matters is the way they are organized. They are separate disciplines in social science and selected aspects are combined into one discipline in social studies. 

Subjects Covered Under Social Science

At university, students may take a general social science degree or choose one area as their main subject. Common options include:

• Economics: Markets, employment, income, trade and public spending.
• Sociology: Communities, family structures, inequality, gender and social change
• Political science: Governments, elections, public policy and international relations
• Anthropology: The study of the anthropological nature of human cultures, traditions, and societies, and their development.
• Psychology: The science of human thought, behavior, feelings and learning.
• Human Geography: Population, migration, cities and the relationship between people and places.

As students work their way through the course, the scope becomes more focused. A student of economics could work with financial data, and an anthropology student could conduct fieldwork in a community. Therefore, although both are part of social science, the content of the courses may be quite different. 

Subjects Covered Under Social Studies

Social studies tends to combine selected fields of history, geography, government, economics, and culture, where students learn the context in which each particular aspect emerges and is connected, as opposed to studying them as a specialization. 

A school’s syllabus may include:

• Overview of significant historical events and their impact on the present day
• Geographical distributions of climate, natural resources, and populations
• Government structures and decision-making, legislature, rights, and citizenship
• Introductory notions of money, economy, labor, and public services
• Outlines of local community, culture, customs, and social norms
• Societal and political affairs impacting the general public or country

While the area covered is extensive, the subjects are usually studied in a broad context. 

For instance, a student may learn about the constitution in a single unit and climate or economy in another without specializing in any of those fields. 

The purpose is to obtain a general understanding that would help shape the preferences for further education and specialization.

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Social Science vs Social Studies for Higher Education Abroad

In higher education abroad, the term that will be encountered more frequently by students will be Social Sciences. 

Social studies generally is taught in the school environment, but provides a foundation for further study in such related disciplines as sociology, economics, politics, International Relations, etc.

Social science can be taught in various modes within the universities:

• General social science qualification: Start with a number of different subjects and then specialise in one at a later stage. For instance, Manchester's BA Social Sciences allows students to learn about various subjects during the first year and then focuses on specific ones.
• Specialized degree: You are highly selective and you apply to a particular subject area like sociology, economics, anthropology or political science. This is useful if you have an idea of what you want to learn in greater detail. 
• Combined degree: Two or more related subjects are studied together. Common combinations may include politics and economics, history and sociology, or social science and data science.
• Social Studies Education: This is quite different from a general social science degree. It is usually designed for students who want to teach social studies in schools.

Don’t judge the course only by whether it awards a BA, BSc, or BSocSc. These labels don’t follow one fixed pattern across all universities. UCL’s Social Sciences BSc, for example, includes sociology, psychology, and research methods, with further choices in politics, economics, and international relations.

Before choosing a course to study abroad, check:

• The compulsory modules included in the first year
• Whether mathematics or another school subject is required
• When you’ll be asked to choose a major or specialisation
• How much statistics, research, or fieldwork the course includes
• Whether internships, placements, or exchange terms are available
• Which careers or postgraduate courses previous students enter

A broad programme gives you more room to try different areas before deciding. A specialised course starts with a clearer subject focus, which may suit you better if you already have a particular career or postgraduate plan in mind.

Career Opportunities After Studying Social Science vs Social Studies

The subject you study at school doesn’t decide your career by itself. Social studies gives you a broad base, while a university degree in social science helps you move towards specific areas such as research, policy, business, education, or community work.

Careers After Social Science

A social science degree may lead to roles such as:

• Social research assistant
• Policy assistant
• Market research analyst
• Community development officer
• Public affairs executive
• Human resources associate

Some specialised roles, including psychologist, sociologist, or political scientist, may require a master’s degree, professional training, or a licence.

Careers After Social Studies

Social studies alone is generally a school subject rather than a professional qualification. Students who later complete an education degree or teacher training may work as:

• Social studies teacher
• Curriculum assistant
• Educational content writer
• Museum education assistant
• Community education officer

The main point is that social science vs social studies doesn’t decide a career on its own. The university degree, chosen specialisation, work experience, and professional qualifications matter more.

Conclusion: Social Science vs Social Studies – Which Is Better for Studying Abroad?

For most students planning higher education abroad, social science offers more degree choices and clearer specialisations. Social studies is still useful, but it usually works as a school-level foundation or leads towards teaching when combined with an education degree.

The final choice should come from the course modules, not the name alone. If you need help comparing programmes or finding a course that suits your career plans, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’s study abroad experts.